APPOINTMENTS
We see patients by appointment only.  Current patients are encouraged to schedule a future appointment at the time they see the doctor or counselor. 
CANCELLATIONS
Changes to a scheduled appointment must be received with 24 hours notice.  If you cancel with less than 24 hours notice, you may be charged for that cancellation.  
REMINDER CALLS
We attempt to give you a reminder call, but this is not guaranteed.  Even if you don't receive a call, you're still responsible for being at your scheduled appointment. 
CHECK-IN
Please arrive 10 minutes early and upon arrival tell the receptionist, to begin taking care of laboratory work or co-payments.  If you usually get a urine exam at the time of your appointment, make sure you are ready to produce one upon arrival.  All payments (co-payments, cash payments, and outstanding balances) are due at the time of your appointment - unless specific arrangements have already been made.  
INSURANCE
Please call your insurance company and ask if treatment with Dr. Riggs is covered.  Also ask if Dr. Riggs is “In-Network” or “Out-of-Network” or if you must get a referral to Dr. Riggs from your primary care physician.
PRESCRIPTIONS
Prescriptions are only sent to the same pharmacy you provided upon establishing care.  We don’t usually refill prescriptions without seeing you, and we'll try to provide you with at least two days supply past the date of your next appointment.  We don't replace prescriptions used up early, lost, stolen, or that become damaged. 
PRIOR AUTHORIZATIONS
Your insurance company might not initially cover your prescription, in which case you would need to pay cash.  Insurers frequently require "Prior Authorizations" which will require the doctor to fill out forms.  The doctor is not paid for this time, so we ask for your patience while this no-cost service is provided.
MEDICAL CONCERNS
A psychiatrist is a medical specialist and your health is our main concern.    Two of our guiding principles are: 1. Don't overlook medical problems that cause psychological symptoms and        2.  Don't overlook psychological problems that cause physical symptoms.  As such, we look at everything, including previous laboratory results; and we may order additional testing.  We expect each patient to have a primary care physician (Family Medicine or Internal Medicine) to monitor their health and to address non-psychiatric concerns.  If you don't have a primary physician, we can suggest some options for you.
CONTACTING YOU
Upon registration, please give us complete and accurate contact information. Then, at subsequent visits, help us keep that information up to date by telling us if anything changes--phone, residence, email, insurance coverage, or your health.  Also, let us know whether we have permission to send you an email or a text message.
CONTACTING US
Please call during our business hours from, 9:00am-5:00pm, Monday-Thursday.  If no one answers, leave a message and someone will call back by the end of the business day.  Outside of business hours, leave a message and someone will call you back on the next business day.  If you are a current patient of Dr. Riggs and must speak with him before the next business day, follow the instructions on our voicemail to utilize his pager number.  The doctor will be notified to call you back.  
PRIVACY
We respect your privacy, however we might need to contact you in-between sessions for various reasons.  Make absolutely sure we are able to contact you or leave you a message (be sure your voice mail works).